Data channel organization for a switched arbitrated on-chip optical network

ABSTRACT

A system for optical data communication, including: a first sending node including a first data item for transmission to a first receiving node during a first timeslot; a second sending node including a second data item for transmission during a second timeslot; a first optical data link (ODL) and a second ODL; a first output switch configured to switch the first data item from the first sending node onto the first ODL during the first timeslot; a second output switch configured to switch the second data item from the second sending node onto the first ODL during the second timeslot; an optical coupler connecting the first and second ODL; and a first input switch operatively connecting the first receiving node with the second ODL and configured to switch the first data item from the second ODL to the first receiving node during the first timeslot.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/688,749 (Attorney Docket No. 33227/640001), filed on Jan. 15, 2010,and entitled: “Time Division Multiplexing Based Arbitration For SharedOptical Links.” Accordingly, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/688,749is incorporated herein by reference.

This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/610,124 (Attorney Docket No. 33227/641001), filed on Oct. 30, 2009,and entitled: “Two-Phase Arbitration Mechanism for Shared OpticalLinks.” Accordingly, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/610,124 isincorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

This invention was made with Government Support under Agreement No.HR0011-08-9-0001 awarded by DARPA. The Government has certain rights inthe invention.

BACKGROUND

As current designs close in on the physical limits of semiconductorbased microprocessors, new problems, such as increased heat dissipationand power consumption, have prompted designers to consider alternativesto the traditional single die microprocessor. Accordingly, designers mayemploy parallel processing systems that include multiple microprocessorsworking in parallel in order to surpass the physical limits of a singleprocessor system. However, such parallel systems with multipleprocessors place a different set of constraints on designers. Forexample, because each processor may be working on an independent task,more requests to memory, or other processors, may need to be issued. Itmay also be necessary to share information among the processors.Accordingly, the input/output (“I/O”) bandwidth requirements for asystem with multiple processors may be much higher than for a singleprocessor system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In general, in one aspect, the invention relates to a system for opticaldata communication. The system comprises: a first sending nodecomprising a first data item for transmission to a first receiving nodeduring a first timeslot; a second sending node comprising a second dataitem for transmission during a second timeslot; a first optical datalink (ODL) and a second ODL; a first output switch operativelyconnecting the first sending node and the first ODL and configured toswitch the first data item onto the first ODL during the first timeslot,wherein the first output switch is deactivated for the second timeslot;a second output switch operatively connecting the second sending nodeand the first ODL and configured to switch the second data item onto thefirst ODL during the second timeslot, wherein the second output switchis deactivated for the first timeslot; an optical coupler operativelyconnecting the first ODL and the second ODL, wherein the optical coupleris configured to redirect the first data item and the second data itemfrom the first ODL to the second ODL; and a first input switchoperatively connecting the first receiving node with the second ODL andconfigured to switch the first data item from the second ODL to thefirst receiving node during the first timeslot.

In general, in one aspect, the invention relates to a system for opticaldata communication. The system comprises: a first sending nodecomprising a first data item for transmission to a first receiving nodeduring a first timeslot; a first optical coupler operatively connectedto the first sending node; a second sending node comprising a seconddata item for transmission; a second optical coupler operativelyconnected to the second sending node; a first series of input switchesoperatively connected to the first receiving node, wherein the firstseries of input switches comprises a first input switch and a secondinput switch; a first plurality of optical data links (ODLs) operativelyconnecting the first optical coupler and the first input switch, whereinthe first plurality of ODLs are configured to propagate the first dataitem to the first input switch during the first timeslot; and a secondplurality of ODLs operatively connecting the second optical coupler andthe second input switch, wherein the second plurality of ODLs areconfigured to propagate the second data item, wherein the first inputswitch is configured to switch the first data item from the firstplurality of ODLs to the receiving node during the first timeslot, andwherein the second input switch is deactivated for the first timeslot.

In general, in one aspect, the invention relates to a method for opticaldata communication. The method comprises: allocating a first timeslot toa first sending node in an arbitration domain and a second timeslot to asecond sending node in the arbitration domain; placing a first data itemfrom the first sending node onto a first optical data link (ODL) duringthe first timeslot; redirecting, using a first optical coupler, thefirst data item from the first ODL to a second ODL operatively connectedto a plurality of input switches; switching, using a first input switchof the plurality of input switches, the first data item from the secondODL to a first receiving node during the first timeslot; anddeactivating the first input switch for the second timeslot.

Other aspects of the invention will be apparent from the followingdescription and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a system in accordance with one or more embodiments of theinvention.

FIG. 2 shows a system in accordance with one or more embodiments of theinvention.

FIG. 3 shows multiple optical switches in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the invention.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show flowcharts in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 5 shows a computer system in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described in detailwith reference to the accompanying figures. Like elements in the variousfigures are denoted by like reference numerals for consistency.

In the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention,numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a morethorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent toone of ordinary skill in the art that the invention may be practicedwithout these specific details. In other instances, well-known featureshave not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily complicatingthe description.

In general, embodiments of the invention provide a system and method fordata communication between multiple nodes in a node array (e.g., agrid). Between each transmitting (i.e., sending node) and receiving nodethere is a data path connecting the two nodes. In one or moreembodiments of the invention, the data paths are implemented usingoptical links (i.e., optical data links). One or more segments of a datapath may intersect with other data paths. The multiple data paths thatintersect form an optical data channel. Accordingly, an optical datachannel connects a group of nodes configured to send data items (i.e.,sending nodes) with a set of receiving nodes using intersecting datapaths. The set of receiving nodes may correspond to a single node ormultiple nodes.

In general, as an optical data channel includes multiple data paths thatintersect, arbitration is required to determine which of the sendingnodes is entitled to send a data item at a given time (i.e., during agiven timeslot). Accordingly, the sending nodes, the optical datachannel, and the set of receiving nodes may be referred to as anarbitration domain. In other words, an arbitration domain includes agroup of nodes that require arbitration to send data to at least onereceiving node. Accordingly, arbitration domains having the same sendingnodes but different receiving nodes are identified as differentarbitration domains. An array of nodes may have any number ofarbitration domains. Arbitration domains are further discussed below inreference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

In one or more embodiments of the invention, each timeslot is allocatedexclusively to one sending node within the arbitration domain. Alltimeslots may be of the same duration. Alternatively, the timeslots maybe of different durations. In one or more embodiments, the series oftimeslots is controlled by a common timeslot clock shared among nodes inthe arbitration domain. During each timeslot, only the node exclusivelyallocated to the present timeslot is allowed to send data to a receivingnode using the optical data channel. The allocation of such timeslots isbased on arbitration amongst the sending nodes in the arbitrationdomain.

In general, more details regarding arbitration and arbitration domainsmay be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/688,749 (AttorneyDocket No. 33227/640001), filed on Jan. 15, 2010, and entitled: “TimeDivision Multiplexing Based Arbitration For Shared Optical Links”; andU.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/610,124 (Attorney Docket No.33227/641001), filed on Oct. 30, 2009, and entitled: “Two-PhaseArbitration Mechanism for Shared Optical Links.” Both patentapplications are incorporated herein by reference.

FIG. 1 shows a system (10) in accordance with one or more embodiments ofthe invention. Those skilled in the art, having the benefit of thisdetailed description, will appreciate that the components shown in FIG.1 may differ among embodiments of the invention, and that one or more ofthe components may be optional. In one or more embodiments of theinvention, components shown in FIG. 1 may be omitted, repeated,supplemented, and/or otherwise modified from those shown in FIG. 1.Accordingly, the specific arrangement of components shown in FIG. 1should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the system (10) includes multiple nodes (e.g., NodeA (1)-Node I (9)), an optical data network designated by thick blacklines, and an optical arbitration network (18) designated by thin blacklines.

In one or more embodiments of the invention, the system (10) correspondsto a macro-chip architecture based on optical data communication. Themacro-chip architecture may include a silicon photonic optical network.Specifically, the optical data links (e.g., Vertical Data Link Group(11), Horizontal Data Link Group (17)) in the silicon photonic opticalnetwork are shared between nodes (e.g., Node A (1)-Node I (9)) disposedon the macro-chip by dynamically switching the optical data linksbetween different sources (i.e., sending nodes) and destinations (i.e.,receiving nodes) in the macro-chip. For example, the silicon photonicoptical network may be a switched optical network that uses a 1×2broadband optical switching elements. In one or more embodiments of theinvention, the macro-chip is essentially the same as the macro-chipdiscussed in the document entitled: “Computer Systems Based on SiliconPhoton Interconnects” by Krishnamoorthy, A. V. et al., and published inthe Proceedings of the IEEE, Vol. 97, No. 7, July 2009, which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

In one or more embodiments of the invention, each of the nodes (e.g.,Node A (1)-Node I (9)) in the system (10) may correspond to a die (e.g.,semiconductor die). In one or more embodiments of the invention, eachdie includes one or more processors and/or one or more cache memories.Further, all nodes (e.g., Node A (1)-Node I (9)), may be disposed on asingle chip (e.g., a macro-chip) as part of a larger mesh structure.

As discussed above, the nodes (e.g., Node A (1)-Node I (9)) areoperatively coupled using an optical data network. The optical datanetwork includes shared optical data link groups (i.e., Vertical DataLink Group (11), Horizontal Data Link Group (17)) for the transmissionof data. An optical data link group is a collection of optical datalinks. For example, the vertical data link group (11) includes thevertical data link (12). The horizontal data link group (17) includesthe horizontal data link (15).

In one or more embodiments of the invention, each data link (e.g.,Vertical Data Link (12), Horizontal Data Link (15)) includes one or morewaveguides. A waveguide is a medium for the transmission of opticalsignals carrying/representing data. The wavelength of each opticalsignal may be selected by the sender of the data (i.e., sending node).Data carried/represented by the optical signals travels from one node toanother node along the waveguides. The path of the data from one node toanother node forms a data path. When multiple data paths intersect(i.e., have at least a portion of a data link in common), theintersecting data paths form an optical data channel.

In one or more embodiments of the invention, the nodes (e.g., Node A(1)-Node I (9)) connect to the data network via input switches andoutput switches. Although not specifically shown, each of the nodes(e.g., Node A (1)-Node I (9)) include unidirectional input ports andoutput ports for the connections. For example, the node I (9) is coupledto the horizontal data link (15) via the output switch (16). The node I(9) is also coupled to the vertical data link (12) via the input switch(13). Thus, the node I (9) sends data via the output switch (16) andreceives data via the input switch (13).

In one or more embodiments of the invention, the input switches (e.g.,input switch (13)) are broadband switches. When an input switch isturned “on” (i.e., activated), it switches all the wavelengths in awaveguide to one of the two output waveguides. When the input switch isturned “off” (i.e., deactivated), all wavelengths are passed through tothe other input waveguide. As discussed above, the optical signalscarry/represent data transmitted by the sending node. The input switch(e.g., input switch (13)) includes functionality to transmit (i.e.,switch) the data received on a vertical data link to the receiving node.Similarly, an output switch (e.g., output switch (16)) is configured totransmit (i.e., switch) data generated/provided by the sending node to ahorizontal data link.

An optical coupler (e.g., optical coupler (14)) is configured toredirect optical signals propagating on one data waveguide to anotherdata waveguide. As shown in FIG. 1, the horizontal data links and thevertical data links are connected by optical couplers. For example, thevertical data link (12) is connected to the horizontal data link (15)using the optical coupler (14). Moreover, a horizontal waveguide, avertical waveguide, and an optical coupler connecting said horizontalwaveguide and said vertical waveguide correspond to an optical datachannel. As shown in the legend (19), optical couplers are designated inFIG. 1 by a solid black circle.

Although not specifically shown in FIG. 1, a row of nodes may bereferred to as a node row. For example, node A (1), node B (2), and nodeC (3) form node row 0. Likewise, node D (4), node E (5), and node F (6)form node row 1. Also, node G (7), node H (8) and node I (9) form noderow 2. A column of nodes may be referred to as a node column. Forexample, node A (1), node D (4), and node G (7) form node column 0.Likewise, node B (2), node E (5), node H (8) form node column 1. Also,node C (3), node F (6), and node I (9) form node column 2. In thiscontext, the horizontal data link group (17) and the horizontal datalink (15) are referred to as being associated with the node row 2 whilethe vertical data link group (11) and the vertical data link (12) arereferred to as being associated with the node column 2.

In one or more embodiments of the invention, the architecture of thesystem (10) shown in FIG. 1 creates multiple arbitration domains.Specifically, each node row/node column pair corresponds to anarbitration domain. Within an arbitration domain, the nodes of the noderow are sending nodes, while the nodes of the node column are receivingnodes. In view of the above, the nodes of a node row must arbitrate fortimeslots to communicate with the nodes in the node column. The sendingnode wining the arbitration for a timeslot turns on (i.e., activates)the output switch feeding a horizontal optical data link in the datachannel, while the receiving node turns on (i.e., activates) the inputswitch along a vertical optical data link in the data channel. When thetimeslot is complete or when only a predetermined amount of time remainsin the timeslot, the mentioned output switch and input switch are turnedoff (i.e., deactivated).

In view of FIG. 1, arbitration is only required when two sending nodeswithin the same node row have data for transmission to either (i) thesame receiving node; or (ii) two receiving nodes located within the samenode column. In other words, arbitration is not required when twosending nodes within the same node row have data for transmission to tworeceiving nodes located within different node columns. Further,arbitration is not required between two sending nodes located indifferent node rows.

Although FIG. 1 shows a system having three node rows and three nodecolumns, more or fewer node rows and/or node columns may be used withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention. In one or more embodiments ofthe invention, the number of node rows is equal to the number of nodecolumns. In one or more embodiments of the invention, increases in thenumber of node rows and node columns may be achieved by addingadditional data links, input switches, and output switches.

For example, the discussion above applies generally to an N×M arrayhaving N node rows and M node columns. Said in other words, the system(10) may have any number of nodes (e.g., 4 nodes, 64 nodes, 10000 nodes,etc.). In an N×M array, there are M horizontal optical data linksassociated with each node row. Each of the M horizontal optical datalinks is communicatively coupled to each node in the node rode via atleast one output switch. Further, in an N×M array, there are N verticaloptical data links associated with each node column. Each of the Nvertical optical links is communicatively coupled to each node in thenode column via at least one input switch. Accordingly, an N×M arrayincludes N*M optical couplers each coupling one of N*M horizontaloptical data links with one of N*M vertical optical data links.

FIG. 2 shows a system (20) in accordance with one or more embodiments ofthe invention. Those skilled in the art, having the benefit of thisdetailed description, will appreciate the components shown in FIG. 2 maydiffer among embodiments of the invention, and that one or more of thecomponents may be optional. In one or more embodiments of the invention,components shown in FIG. 2 may be omitted, repeated, supplemented,and/or otherwise modified from those shown in FIG. 2. Accordingly, thespecific arrangement of components shown in FIG. 2 should not beconstrued as limiting the scope of the invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the system (20) includes an optical data networkdesignated by the thick black lines. The system (20) includes an arrayof nodes (e.g., Node A (21), Node B (22), Node C (23), Node D (24))operatively coupled using shared optical data links. The nodes (e.g.,Node A (21)-Node D (24)), node rows, node columns, optical data linkgroups (e.g., Horizontal Data Link Group (31), Vertical Data Link Group(27)), optical data links (e.g., Horizontal Data Link (28), VerticalData Link (26)), and optical couplers (e.g., Optical Coupler A (29)) aresimilar to the nodes, node rows, node columns, optical data link groups,optical data links, and optical couplers, respectively, as discussedabove in reference to FIG. 1. Moreover, the nodes (e.g., Node A(21)-Node D (24)) in FIG. 2 are configured to communicate with the datanetwork shown in FIG. 2, which is arbitrated using the arbitrationnetwork (34).

In one or more embodiments of the invention, each node is coupled to ahorizontal optical data link (e.g., Horizontal Data Link (28)) via anoptical coupler (e.g., Optical Coupler B (30)). As discussed above, anoptical coupler is configured to redirect optical signals propagating onone data waveguide to another data waveguide. In the case of the system(20), the optical couplers redirect optical signals generated/providedby the nodes onto the horizontal optical data links. For example, thenode D (24) is connected to the horizontal data link (28) by the opticalcoupler B (30). In this example, the optical coupler B (30) allows thenode D (24) to transmit data on the horizontal data link (28) byredirecting the optical signal(s) from the node D (24) to the horizontaldata link (28). As shown in the legend (32), optical couplers arerepresented in FIG. 2 as solid black circles.

Still referring to FIG. 2, each node is coupled to a vertical opticaldata link via an input switch. For example, the node B (22) is coupledto the vertical data link (26) via the input switch (25). Moreover, eachinput port (not shown) of a node is connected to a series of inputswitches. For example, the input port of the node B (22) is connected tothe series of input switches (33). In one or more embodiments of theinvention, the number of switches in the series is dependent on thenumber of nodes in a node row. In one or more embodiments of theinvention, only one input switch of a series can be activated for atimeslot. The remaining input switches of the series are deactivated forthe timeslot. When the timeslot is complete, or when there is only apre-determined amount of time left in the timeslot, the receiving nodedeactivates the input switch of the series of input switches.

Additional node columns may be added to the data network withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention. For example, additional nodecolumns may be added to the system shown in FIG. 2 by adding additionalhorizontal and vertical waveguides and adding another switch in each ofthe series of switches. Further, additional node rows may be added byadding an additional series of switches, connecting another input portof the node to the additional series of switches, and addingcorresponding horizontal and vertical waveguides.

In one or more embodiments of the invention, the data paths connecting asingle receiving node with the sending nodes in a node row intersect.Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, all nodes in a node row connect to thesame input port on the receiving node. For example, the node C (23) andthe node D (24) in node row 1 communicate with the node B (22) bysharing the series of input switches (33) at node B (22). Therefore, thedata paths from the nodes in a node row intersect. As the data pathsintersect, the data paths form an optical data channel from the nodes inthe node row to the particular receiving node. Therefore, all sendingnodes in a node row are in an arbitration domain for the data channel tothe receiving node. In other words, there exists one arbitration domainfor each node row/receiving node pair. As the system (20) is a two bytwo array of nodes, there exists four arbitration domains for each noderow in FIG. 2. Therefore, there exists a total of 8 arbitration domainsin the system (20).

In view of FIG. 2, arbitration is only required when two sending nodeswithin the same node row have data for transmission to the samereceiving node. In other words, arbitration is not required when twosending nodes within the same node row have data for transmission to tworeceiving nodes, even when the two receiving node are in the same nodecolumn. Further, arbitration is not required between two sending nodesin different node rows.

Although FIG. 2 shows a system having two node rows and two nodecolumns, more or fewer node rows and/or node columns may be used withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention. In one or more embodiments ofthe invention, the number of node rows is equal to the number of nodecolumns. In one or more embodiments of the invention, increases in thenumber of node rows and node columns may be achieved by addingadditional data links and input switches.

For example, the discussion above applies generally to an N*M node arrayhaving N node rows and M node columns. Each sending node can transmit onM horizontal optical data links. Thus, the N*M node array includes N*M*Mhorizontal optical data links, each connected to one of N*M*M verticaloptical data links.

FIG. 3 shows multiple optical switches (i.e., Input Switch (41), OutputSwitch (45)) in accordance with one or more embodiments of theinvention. The input switch (41) may be essentially the same as theinput switches discussed above in reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.Similarly, the output switch (45) may be essentially the same as theoutput switches discussed above in reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

As shown in FIG. 3, the input switch (41) includes a control element 1(44) disposed adjacent to a junction of waveguides (i.e., Waveguide A(42) and Waveguide B (43)). In a default state, when no control signal(e.g., voltage signal) is applied to the control element 1 (44) (i.e.,the input switch (41) is deactivated), optical signals travel along thewaveguide A (42), in the direction denoted in FIG. 3, withoutinterruption. However, when a control signal is applied to the controlelement 1 (44) (i.e., the input switch (41) is activated), opticalsignals traveling along the waveguide A (42) are switched (i.e.,diverted) to the waveguide B (43). The control signal may be applied bya receiving node operatively connected to the input switch (41) andspecifically the waveguide B (43). Further, the control signal may beapplied for a timeslot in order to activate the input switch (41) forthe timeslot. Finally, the waveguide A (42) may correspond to a verticaloptical data link, discussed above in reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

As shown in FIG. 3, the output switch (45) includes a control element 2(48) disposed adjacent to a junction of waveguides (i.e., Waveguide C(46) and Waveguide D (47)). In a default state, when no control signal(e.g., voltage signal) is applied to the control element 2 (48) (i.e.,the output switch is deactivated), optical signals travel along thewaveguide C (46), in the direction denoted in FIG. 3, withoutinterruption. However, when a control signal is applied to the controlelement 2 (48) (i.e., the input output switch is activated), opticalsignals traveling along the waveguide C (46) are switched (i.e.,diverted) to the waveguide D (47). The control signal may be applied bya sending node operatively connected to the output switch (45) andspecifically the waveguide C (46). Further, the control signal may beapplied for a timeslot in order to activate the output switch (45) forthe timeslot. Finally, the waveguide D (47) may correspond to ahorizontal optical data link, discussed above in reference to FIG. 1 andFIG. 2.

FIG. 4A shows a flowchart in accordance with one or more embodiments ofthe invention. The process depicted in FIG. 4A may be implemented usingsystem (10) described in reference to FIG. 1 above. Specifically, theprocess depicted in FIG. 4A may pertain to a single arbitration domain(i.e., a node row/node column pair) within the system (10). The stepsshown in FIG. 4A may be omitted, repeated, and/or performed in adifferent order. Accordingly, embodiments of the invention should not beconsidered limited to the specific arrangements of steps shown in FIG.4A.

Initially, upcoming timeslots are allocated to the sending nodes of thearbitration domain (STEP 405). As discussed above, the allocation oftimeslots is the result of arbitration among the sending nodes. As alsodiscussed above, more details regarding arbitration and the allocationof timeslots may be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/688,749(Attorney Docket No. 33227/640001), filed on Jan. 15, 2010, andentitled: “Time Division Multiplexing Based Arbitration For SharedOptical Links”; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/610,124(Attorney Docket No. 33227/641001), filed on Oct. 30, 2009, andentitled: “Two-Phase Arbitration Mechanism for Shared Optical Links.”Both patent applications are incorporated herein by reference.

In STEP 407, the sending node and the receiving node assigned to thepresent timeslot are identified. The sending node may have one or moredata items for transmission to the receiving node. The sending node maybe located in a node row of a node array, while the receiving node maybe located in a node column of the node array. Moreover, as shown inFIG. 1, the sending node and the receiving node may be connected by anoptical data channel having a horizontal optical data link and avertical optical data link connected by an optical coupler. As alsoshown in FIG. 1, the sending node is operatively connected to theoptical data channel (i.e., the horizontal optical data link) by anoutput switch, while the receiving node is operatively connected to theoptical data channel (i.e., the vertical optical data link) by an inputswitch.

In STEP 409, the output switch operatively connecting the sending nodeand the horizontal optical data link of the optical data channel isactivated for the present timeslot. The output switch may be controlled(i.e., activated/deactivated) by the sending node. Further, the inputswitch operatively connecting the receiving node and the verticaloptical data link of the optical data channel is activated for thepresent timeslot. The input switch may be controlled (i.e.,activated/deactivated) by the receiving node. In one or more embodimentsof the invention, the input switches and the output switches that areconnected to the optical data channel but not to the sending node or thereceiving node are deactivated for the timeslot.

In STEP 411, one or more optical signals carrying/representing dataitems for transmission are generated/provided by the sending node andswitched to the horizontal optical data link by the activated outputswitch. As discussed above in reference to FIG. 3, the switching (i.e.,diverting) of the optical signals is the result of activating the outputswitch (i.e., applying a control signal to the output switch).

In STEP 413, the one or more optical signals carrying/representing dataitems for transmission are redirected from the horizontal optical datalink to the vertical optical data link of the optical data channel usingthe optical coupler.

In STEP 415, the one or more optical signals carrying/representing dataitems for transmission are switched from the vertical optical data linkto the receiving node using the activated input switch. As discussedabove in reference to FIG. 3, the switching (i.e., diverting) of theoptical signals is the result of activating the input switch (i.e.,applying a control signal to the input switch).

In STEP 417, it is determined whether additional timeslots exist. Whenit is determined that additional timeslots exist, the process advancesto the next timeslot (STEP 419), and returns to STEP 407. When it isdetermined no additional timeslots exist, the process ends. In one ormore embodiments of the invention, the process may proceed to STEP 419immediately after executing STEP 415 (i.e., STEP 417 is omitted).

FIG. 4B shows a flowchart in accordance with one or more embodiments ofthe invention. The process depicted in FIG. 4B may be implemented usingsystem (20) described in reference to FIG. 2 above. Specifically, theprocess depicted in FIG. 4B may pertain to a single arbitration domain(i.e., a node row/receiving node pair) within the system (20). The stepsshown in FIG. 4B may be omitted, repeated, and/or performed in adifferent order. Accordingly, embodiments of the invention should not beconsidered limited to the specific arrangements of steps shown in FIG.4B.

Initially, upcoming timeslots are allocated to the sending nodes of thearbitration domain (STEP 451). As discussed above, the allocation oftimeslots is the result of arbitration among the sending nodes. As alsodiscussed above, more details regarding arbitration and the allocationof timeslots may be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/688,749(Attorney Docket No. 33227/640001), filed on Jan. 15, 2010, andentitled: “Time Division Multiplexing Based Arbitration For SharedOptical Links”; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/610,124(Attorney Docket No. 33227/641001), filed on Oct. 30, 2009, andentitled: “Two-Phase Arbitration Mechanism for Shared Optical Links.”Both patent applications are incorporated herein by reference.

In STEP 453, the sending node and the receiving node assigned to thepresent timeslot are identified. The sending node may have one or moredata items for transmission to the receiving node. The sending node maybe located in a node row of a node array, while the receiving node maybe located in a node column of the node array. Moreover, as shown inFIG. 2, the sending node and the receiving node may be connected by anoptical data channel having a horizontal optical data link and avertical optical data link connected by an optical coupler. As alsoshown in FIG. 2, the sending node is operatively connected to thehorizontal optical data link by an optical coupler, while the receivingnode is operatively connected to the vertical optical data link by aninput switch within a series of input switches.

In STEP 455, the input switch within the series of input switches thatis operatively connected to the vertical optical data link is activatedfor the present timeslot. The input switch may be controlled (i.e.,activated/deactivated) by the receiving node. In one or more embodimentsof the invention, the input switches within the series of input switchesthat are not connected to the vertical optical data link are deactivatedfor the timeslot.

In STEP 457, one or more optical signals carrying/representing dataitems for transmission are generated/provided by the sending node andredirected onto the horizontal optical data link by an optical coupler.

In STEP 459, the one or more optical signals carrying/representing dataitems for transmission are redirected from the horizontal optical datalink to the vertical optical data link of the optical data channel usingan optical coupler. However, as shown in FIG. 2, the optical coupler ofSTEP 459 is not the same as the optical coupler of STEP 457.

In STEP 461, the one or more optical signals carrying/representing dataitems for transmission are switched from the vertical optical data linkto the receiving node using the activated input switch within the seriesof input switches. As discussed above in reference to FIG. 3, theswitching (i.e., diverting) of the optical signals is the result ofactivating the input switch (i.e., applying a control signal to theinput switch).

In STEP 463, it is determined whether additional timeslots exist. Whenit is determined that additional timeslots exist, the process advancesto the next timeslot (STEP 465), and returns to STEP 453. When it isdetermined no additional timeslots exist, the process ends. In one ormore embodiments of the invention, the process may proceed to STEP 465immediately after executing STEP 461 (i.e., STEP 463 is omitted).

In view of FIG. 2, during a given timeslot, multiple sending nodeswithin the same node row may transmit data items to different receivingnodes, even if the different receiving nodes are located within the samenode column. In other words, during the execution of the steps in FIG.4B, a different sending node than the sending node mentioned in STEP 453but located in the same node row may transmit data items to a differentreceiving node than the receiving node mention in STEP 453, even if thetwo receiving nodes are in the same node column.

FIG. 5 shows a computer system (500) in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the invention. One or more portions of the invention maybe a component in the computer system (500) (e.g., an integrated circuitin the computer system (500)). As shown in FIG. 5, the computer system(500) includes a processor (502), associated memory (504), a storagedevice (507), and numerous other elements and functionalities typical oftoday's computers (not shown). One or more portions of the invention mayinclude a component in the computer system (500) (e.g., the processor(502), the memory (504), etc.). The computer system (500) may alsoinclude input means, such as a keyboard (508) and a mouse (510), andoutput means, such as a monitor (512). The computer system (500) isconnected to a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (e.g.,the Internet) (514) via a network interface connection (not shown).Those skilled in the art will appreciate that these input and outputmeans may take other forms, now known or later developed. Further, thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that one or more elements of theaforementioned computer system (500) may be located at a remote locationand connected to the other elements over a network.

One or more embodiments of the invention exhibit one or more of thefollowing advantages. The system and method disclosed herein mayincrease the point-to-point bandwidth between any two nodes in the nodearray of a macro-chip (e.g., used in large scale symmetricmulti-processing (SMP) systems) over that of a static WDM point to pointscheme under the same power and area constraints. Further, the systemand method disclosed herein may increase parallelism in data transfersbased on multiple shared domains without enlarging the network topology.

The properties of optical waveguides such as low latency, high bit-rate,and wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) (i.e., sending multiplewavelengths through a single waveguide) may be utilized in a siliconphotonic optical network to exceed the performance of an electronic datanetwork having metal or alloy traces. The design of a photonic opticalnetwork must consider:

(1) Number of waveguides, which determines the substrate area consumedby the optical data interconnects.

(2) Number of lasers, modulators and receivers (e.g., photo-detectors),which determines the required optical power and complexity.

(3) Number of outputs from a waveguide, which determines the amount ofsource power at a given bit-rate.

(4) Number of input sources to a certain wavelength in a waveguide,which may dictate the use of optical switches, which increasescomplexity and contributes towards power loss.

(5) Number of optical to electrical conversions, which is desirable tobe minimized.

(6) Sharing interconnect links to provide high bandwidth between twopoints in a network with the trade-off of contention induced bandwidthlimitation.

While the invention has been described with respect to a limited numberof embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefit of thisdisclosure, will appreciate that other embodiments may be devised whichdo not depart from the scope of the invention as disclosed herein.Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be limited only by theattached claims.

1. A system for optical data communication, comprising: a first sendingnode comprising a first data item for transmission to a first receivingnode during a first timeslot; a second sending node comprising a seconddata item for transmission during a second timeslot; a first opticaldata link (ODL) and a second ODL; a first output switch operativelyconnecting the first sending node and the first ODL and configured toswitch the first data item onto the first ODL during the first timeslot,wherein the first output switch is deactivated for the second timeslot;a second output switch operatively connecting the second sending nodeand the first ODL and configured to switch the second data item onto thefirst ODL during the second timeslot, wherein the second output switchis deactivated for the first timeslot; an optical coupler operativelyconnecting the first ODL and the second ODL, wherein the optical coupleris configured to redirect the first data item and the second data itemfrom the first ODL to the second ODL; and a first input switchoperatively connecting the first receiving node with the second ODL andconfigured to switch the first data item from the second ODL to thefirst receiving node during the first timeslot.
 2. The system of claim1, further comprising: a second input switch operatively connecting asecond receiving node with the second ODL and configured to switch thesecond data item from the second ODL to the second receiving node duringthe second timeslot, wherein the second input switch is deactivated forthe first timeslot, and wherein the first input switch is deactivatedfor the second timeslot.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the firstinput switch is further configured to switch the second data item fromthe second ODL to the first receiving node during the second timeslot.4. The system of claim 2, wherein the first sending node and the secondsending node are located within a node row of a node array, and whereinthe first receiving node and the second receiving node are locatedwithin a node column of the node array.
 5. The system of claim 4,wherein the node array is disposed on a single macro-chip
 6. The systemof claim 4, wherein the first ODL is a horizontal ODL within the nodearray, and wherein the second ODL is a vertical ODL within the nodearray.
 7. The system of claim 2, further comprising an arbitrationnetwork operatively connected to the first sending node, the secondsending node, the first receiving node, and the second receiving node,and configured to allocate the first timeslot to the first sending nodeand allocate the second timeslot to the second sending node.
 8. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the first ODL comprises a plurality ofwaveguides.
 9. A system for optical data communication, comprising: afirst sending node comprising a first data item for transmission to afirst receiving node during a first timeslot; a first optical coupleroperatively connected to the first sending node; a second sending nodecomprising a second data item for transmission; a second optical coupleroperatively connected to the second sending node; a first series ofinput switches operatively connected to the first receiving node,wherein the first series of input switches comprises a first inputswitch and a second input switch; a first plurality of optical datalinks (ODLs) operatively connecting the first optical coupler and thefirst input switch, wherein the first plurality of ODLs are configuredto propagate the first data item to the first input switch during thefirst timeslot; and a second plurality of ODLs operatively connectingthe second optical coupler and the second input switch, wherein thesecond plurality of ODLs are configured to propagate the second dataitem, wherein the first input switch is configured to switch the firstdata item from the first plurality of ODLs to the receiving node duringthe first timeslot, and wherein the second input switch is deactivatedfor the first timeslot.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the secondinput switch is configured to switch the second data item from thesecond plurality of ODLs to the first receiving node during a secondtimeslot, and wherein the first input switch is deactivated for thesecond timeslot.
 11. The system of claim 9, further comprising: a secondreceiving node; a second series of input switches comprising a thirdinput switch and a fourth input switch operatively connected to thesecond receiving node, wherein the third input switch is operativelyconnected to the first plurality of ODLs and deactivated for the firsttimeslot, and wherein the fourth input switch is connected to the secondplurality of ODLs and configured to switch the second data item to thesecond receiving node during the first timeslot.
 12. The system of claim9, wherein the first sending node and the second sending node arelocated within a node row of a node array, and wherein the firstreceiving node is located within a node column of the node array. 13.The system of claim 12, wherein the node array is disposed on a singlemacro-chip
 14. The system of claim 9, further comprising an arbitrationnetwork operatively connected to the first sending node, the secondsending node, and the first receiving node.
 15. The system of claim 9,wherein the first plurality of ODLs comprises a plurality of waveguides.16. The system of claim 9, further comprising a second optical coupleroperatively connecting two ODLs of the first plurality of ODLs.
 17. Amethod for optical data communication, comprising: allocating a firsttimeslot to a first sending node in an arbitration domain and a secondtimeslot to a second sending node in the arbitration domain; placing afirst data item from the first sending node onto a first optical datalink (ODL) during the first timeslot; redirecting, using a first opticalcoupler, the first data item from the first ODL to a second ODLoperatively connected to a plurality of input switches; switching, usinga first input switch of the plurality of input switches, the first dataitem from the second ODL to a first receiving node during the firsttimeslot; and deactivating the first input switch for the secondtimeslot.
 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising: switching,using a first output switch of a plurality of output switchesoperatively connected to the first ODL, a second data item from thesecond sending node onto the first ODL during the second timeslot;redirecting, using the first optical coupler, the second data item fromthe first ODL to the second ODL during the second timeslot; andswitching, using a second input switch of the plurality of inputswitches, the second data item from the second ODL to a second receivingnode during the second timeslot, wherein the second input switch isdeactivated for the first timeslot, and wherein the first data item isplaced on the first ODL by a second output switch of the plurality ofoutput switches.
 19. The method of claim 17, further comprising:placing, using a second optical coupler operatively connected to thesecond sending node, the second data item onto a third ODL during thesecond timeslot; redirecting, using a third optical coupler, the seconddata item from the third ODL to a fourth ODL during the second timeslot;and switching, using a second input switch of the plurality of inputswitches, the second data item from the fourth ODL to a second receivingnode during the second timeslot, wherein the second input switch isdeactivated for the first timeslot, and wherein the first data item isplaced on the first ODL by a fourth optical coupler.
 20. The method ofclaim 17, wherein the first sending node and the second sending node arelocated within a node row of a node array, wherein the first receivingnode is located within a node column of the node array, wherein firstODL is a horizontal OSL within the node array, and wherein the secondODL is a vertical ODL within the node array.